Cheese and Turkey Manakish are delightful pastries that combine a crisp, flaky dough with a blend of melted cheese and slices of smoked turkey, making them a perfect choice for breakfast or dinner. They are best served warm with fresh vegetables and pickles.
Ingredients
– For the Dough:
- Flour: 1.25 pounds (about 5 ½ cups)
- Water: 2 ⅔ cups
- Milk: 2 tablespoons
- Sugar: 3 tablespoons
- Salt: 1.25 teaspoons
- Yeast: 5 grams (about 1 ½ teaspoons)
- Butter: 20 grams (about 2 tablespoons)
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
– For the Filling:
- Mozzarella cheese: 8 cups (shredded)
- Cheddar cheese: 8 ounces (shredded)
- Turkey breast: 20 ounces (sliced)
Instructions
- Dissolve the sugar and yeast in warm water. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the yeast becomes foamy and active.
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the milk and two-thirds of the flour. Knead with a dough hook for 10 minutes on low to medium speed.
- Add the remaining flour, salt, and butter. Knead for another 3 minutes, then add the olive oil. Continue kneading until you achieve a smooth and elastic dough.
- Shape the dough into a ball, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Divide the dough into balls, each weighing approximately 7 ounces. Let them rest for 30 minutes before shaping.
- Roll out each dough ball into a round or oval shape, characteristic of manakish.
- Evenly spread the mozzarella cheese over the surface of the dough. Then, add the cheddar cheese, followed by the turkey slices layered over the cheese.
- Bake the manakish in a preheated oven at 525°F (270°C) for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the dough is cooked through, the cheese is melted, and the top is golden brown.
- Remove the manakish from the oven and serve hot. They can be folded in half or served whole, as desired.
